No. 163 of 1881.—Petition of Retreat Tapsell, Hans Tapsell, and Philip Tapsell (No. 1).

Petitioners state that they petitioned in reference to their claims in 1877; that there resulted an examination by Major Mair; that in December, 1880, they wrote to the Premier, and had for answer that Major Mair had been directed to report; that since that time they have heard nothing about the matter. They pray for immediate attention, and a return of their expenses in going to the Waikato to meet Major Mair.

I am directed to report as follows:—

Hans Tapsell was written to on the 10th June, 1881, in reference to Major Mair's report, made after full inquiry, to the effect that, under Maori usage, the petitioners were not entitled to land at Orakau or elsewhere within the confiscated boundary. It seems, further, that the railway and steam-boat fares were allowed to petitioners in prosecuting their claims. The Committee has no recommendation to make.

[Translation.]
No. 163 of 1881.—Pukapuka-ino a Retireti Tapihana, a Ieni Tapihana, me Piripi Tapihana (Nama 1):

E Ki ana nga kai-pitihana, i pitihana ratou mo runga i o ratou kereme i te tau, 1877; na tu ana te whakawa whiriwhiria Meiha Mea i aua take; i te marama o Tihema, 1880, ka tuhi ratou ki te Pirimia, na ko te whakahoki mo taua reta he ki atu kua whakahaua a Meiha Mea kia ripoata mai i runga i aua kereme; heoi i muri iho i tena kaore ano ratou i rongo kei te pewhea ranei taua mea. E inoi ana nga kaipitihana kia tere tonu te whiriwhiri i o ratou take, a kia whakahokia hoki ki a ratou nga moni i pau i a ratou i runga i te haere kite aroaro o Meiha Mea.

Kua whakahaua ahau kia ki penei:—

I tuhia atu ano he reta ki a Ieni Tapihana i te 10 o Hune, 1881, whakaatu mo te ripoata a Meiha Mea, ko te kupu o roto i taua ripoata i mea kaore he take o nga kai-pitihana i raro i nga tikanga Maori ki te whenua i Orakau i whea atu ranei o roto i te rohe o te Rau-patu.

Tetahi i utua ano nga haerenga o nga kia-pitihana i runga Tima i runga Rerewe i to ratou haerenga ki te korero i o ratou take; heoi kaore he kupu a te Komiti.